The Fork In the Road Is Back

It was a staple like meat and potatoes. And then, it was gone. But now…Pasadena’s largest fork has returned.

In addition to the fork’s reappearance, The Fork In The Road Gang has organized what they hope to be Pasadena’s largest food drive (which will benefit Union Station Homeless Services). They will be accepting non-perishable foods Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13 where Pasadena Avenue “forks” with Bellefontaine and St. John.

People are welcome to buy food stuffs, then slowly drive by (withstanding the distraction of the grooviest fork in the country and keeping road safety in mind), then hand your donations to volunteers who will be lined up to receive.

Phil Coombes, mastermind behind the food drive, fork builder Ken Marshal, and Bob Stane of The Coffee Gallery Backstage are also reaching out, asking Pasadena businesses to get involved. They are offering their “Put The Fork In Hunger” logo and stickers for businesses to put on their materials, bags, etc.

A “special rollout” cocktail party will be held on the evening of November 10th, to which participating businesses, clients and supporters can bring their collected donations and get a chance to meet “The Fork In The Road Gang,” Union Station officials, and assorted supporters.

Two years ago, this triad dressed as Caltrans workers and erected the 18-foot-tall wooden fork guerilla-style in the dead of night for Bob Stane’s 75th birthday. On the philanthropic side, Coombes gathered 4,000 pounds of non-perishable foods. Now the fork is permanent and the goal—with resident and local business help—is an ambitious (but doable) 15,000 pounds.